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Family theatre: London's best shows for all the family

By Hailey Wendling on 10/4/2018

In need of feel good, family shows in London? Want to know what kids' theatre and musicals are on in April 2018? Here's our pick of the best

Kika's Birthday, Little Angel Theatre

Kika's Birthday was produced by award-winning raconteur, Danya Miller, who was once described by Michael Morporgro himself as 'a storytelling phenomenon'. This interactive puppet show about the birthday party of a tiny French mouse promises a thoroughly engaging performance – be sure to book well in advance!

WHEN

25 Apr 2018 – 20 May 2018, Times vary

WHERE

Little Angel Theatre
14 Dagmar Passage, London, N1 2DN

The Birdman plus Monkey Business, Puppet Theatre Barge

Don't miss out on this double bill aboard the atmospheric Puppet Theatre Barge. Monkey marionettes perform all kinds of dangerous stunts and hilarious tricks in Monkey . Business. Stay tuned for The Birdman, a powerful performance follows the adventures of a baby bird.

Ages 3+

WHEN

24 Mar 2018 – 13 May 2018, Times vary between performances, check online

WHERE

Puppet Barge, Little Venice
Little Venice, London, W9 2PF

Junk, Little Angel Theatre

Junk is an immersive puppetry production from the Little Angel Theatre that promises to whisk tiny audience members to a world where rambunctious egg cartons and spirited newspapers run rampant.

WHEN

16 Mar 2018 – 29 Apr 2018, Times vary between performances. Check online

WHERE

Little Angel Studios
Sebbon Street Community Centre, Sebbon Street, N1 2EH

The Singing Mermaid, Little Angel Theatre

The classic, cautionary showbiz tale follows the misadventures of a musical mermaid, conned into joining the circus. Based on the children's book by Julia Donaldson and Lydia Monks, a troupe of playful puppets will help translate the The Singing Mermaid for the stage.

WHEN

09 Feb 2018 – 22 Apr 2018, Times vary between performances, check online

WHERE

Little Angel Theatre
14 Dagmar Passage, London, N1 2DN

Beginners, Unicorn Theatre

The Unicorn Theatre presents Beginners, a brand-new play that grapples with growing up. The show follows three families over the course of a dramatic summer, weaving their stories together for a heartwarming performance.

WHEN

20 Mar 2018 – 15 Apr 2018, Times vary between events, check online

WHERE

The Unicorn Theatre
147 Tooley St, London, SE1 2HZ

Michael Rosen’s Chocolate Cake, Polka Theatre

The Polka Theatre presents a painfully relatable tale for chocoholics everywhere. Based on Michael Rosen's Chocolate Cake poem and picture book, the show chronicles the struggles of having a weakness for delicious flavour. Two sweet-toothed brothers must prove their innocence in the curious incident of the chocolate cake disappearing in the nighttime.

WHEN

23 Mar 2018 – 13 May 2018, Times vary between performances, check online

WHERE

Polka Theatre
240 The Broadway, Wimbledon, SW19 1SB

The Winter’s Tale, National Theatre

Shakespeare's comedy of love, loss, and reconciliation has been re-imagined for children in a new family-friendly production. Winter's Tale will open at the Dorfman Theatre to delight London's little ones for February half-term 2018 before touring the country to different primary schools.

WHEN

14 Feb 2018 – 14 May 2018, Performance at 11:00:00, 13:45, and 14:00

WHERE

National Theatre
South Bank, London, SE1 9PX

Not Now, Bernard, Unicorn Theatre

Join Bernard (and a monster) on an adventure that is equal parts funny and thought provoking. Based on the children's book by David McKee, this production at the Unicorn Theatre is not to be missed.

WHEN

27 May 2018 – 01 Jul 2018, Times vary - check website for more details

WHERE

The Unicorn Theatre
147 Tooley St, London, SE1 2HZ

Aladdin, Prince Edward Theatre

This mega-watt, big-budget musical theatre version of Disney’s Aladdin is pure wish fulfillment. The production is pure sumptuous spectacle, with a surfeit of sparkle, unfeasibly fit backing dancers, live fireworks and a flying carpet.

Afterwards, go check out the Genie's Cave Afternoon Tea at Cutter & Squidge.

WHEN

09 Oct 2017 – 30 Jun 2018, 7:30 PM – 10:00 PM

WHERE

Prince Edward Theatre
Old Compton Street, London, W1D 4HS

The new cast of A Comedy About a Bank Robbery; Photo credit Darren Bell

The Comedy About A Bank Robbery, Criterion Theatre

A priceless diamond is being stored at a poorly-run bank. A pickpocket, an escaped convict, a gold digger, and an elderly intern find themselves embroiled in a hysterical heist.

WHEN

31 Mar 2017 – 04 Nov 2018, 7:30 PM – 10:00 PM

WHERE

Criterion Theatre
218-223 Piccadilly, Piccadilly Circus, London, W1V 9LB

Annie, Piccadilly Theatre

Annie, the world's second most notorious orphaned redhead (after Anne of Green Gables) returns to the stage. The rags-to-riches tale features Miranda Hart, star of BBC sitcom Miranda, as smarmy orphanage supervisor Miss Hannigan. You can bet your bottom dollar that you don't want to miss her performance.

Recommended for ages 6

WHEN

23 May – 6 January 2018 | 7:30 PM – 10:00 PM

WHERE

Piccadilly Theatre, 16 Denman Street

Matilda the Musical, Cambridge Theatre review ★★★★★

Roald Dahl’s story of a child genius with magic powers who brings first anarchy and then justice to her little world is, it turns out, perfectly suited for the stage. Matilda is a gutsy little girl whose phenomenal brainpower goes unnoticed by her couch potato parents and is reviled by her troll of a headmistress, Miss Trunchbull. Roald Dahl's tale of pint-sized revolution is an exhilarating treat for the whole family.

Recommended for ages 5

WHEN

Until 10 February 2019 | 7:30 PM – 10:00 PM

WHERE

Cambridge Theatre
Earlham Street, London, WC2H 9HU

School of Rock the Musical, New London Theatre review ★★★★★

With a little help from musical theatre maestro Andrew Lloyd Webber and writer Julian Fellowes, School of Rock has graduated from hit film to a big-budget West End show, complete with roaring riffs and a talented cast of pint-sized rockstars. It's an easy watch with a fair few laughs and plenty to amuse the kids.

Recommended for ages 5

WHEN

24 Oct 2016 – 14 Jan 2018 | Booking times vary

WHERE

New London Theatre
166 Drury Lane, Camden, London, WC2B 5PW

The Play That Goes Wrong, Duchess Theatre review ★★★★★

The Play That Goes Wrong captures a cast of bungling thespians as their dramatic plans descend into disaster. Farce at its finest, this high energy physical comedy brings old-school slapstick back to the West End.

WHEN

05 Sep 2014 – 25 Feb 2018, 7:30 PM – 10:00 PM

WHERE

Duchess Theatre
3-5 Catherine Street, London, WC2B 5LA

Family theatre: London's best shows for all the family

In need of feel good, family shows in London? Want to know what kids' theatre and musicals are on in April 2018? Here's our pick of the best

Kika's Birthday, Little Angel Theatre

The Birdman plus Monkey Business, Puppet Theatre Barge

Junk, Little Angel Theatre

The Singing Mermaid, Little Angel Theatre

Beginners, Unicorn Theatre

Michael Rosen’s Chocolate Cake, Polka Theatre

The Winter’s Tale, National Theatre

Not Now, Bernard, Unicorn Theatre

Aladdin, Prince Edward Theatre

The Comedy About A Bank Robbery, Criterion Theatre

Annie, Piccadilly Theatre

Matilda the Musical, Cambridge Theatre review ★★★★★

School of Rock the Musical, New London Theatre review ★★★★★

The Play That Goes Wrong, Duchess Theatre review ★★★★★

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